HISTORY OF WMOT
1967
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) was established
1968
Lane Boutwell of MTSU Speech & Theatre Department proposed a radio station.
Doug Vernier was selected as General Manager.
1969
WMOT chosen as call letters
1969
WMOT signs on the air April 9 with 780 watts on a 100 foot tower
1970
1971
NPR (National Public Radio) established by CPB. A network for member public
radio stations distributing programs and services. WMOT one of the early
member stations of NPR
WMOT no longer under Speech & Theatre Department. Moved to University
Relations
Increased from 780 watts to 50,000 watts on a new 300 foot tower.
1972
Doug Vernier resigns as General Manager and Dr. Harold Baker replaces him
1975
WMOT studios are moved into the Learning Resources Center, Room 200
1978
Dr. Harold Baker resigns as GM to teach full time. John L. High becomes new
General Manager and Director of Broadcasting. Serves in position for 29 years.
1982
WMOT goes to an all jazz/news format
1988
WMOT is nominee for Gavin Report “Jazz Station of the Year”
1991
Details Magazine named WMOT “Middle Tennessee’s Best Radio Station”
1996
WMOT goes to 24 hours a day broadcast operation
1996
WMOT becomes host radio station for Murfreesboro Mainstreet Jazz Fest. One
of the most popular annual events in the area.
1996
WMOT increases power to 100,000 watts on a new tower site with an increase in
tower height to over 600 feet.
1999
WMOT is nominee for Gavin Report “Jazz Station of the Year” for a second time.
2002
WMOT receives recognition for two major PBS awards cited to WCTE, Public
Television for series of rural public broadcasting receptions
2002
WMOT is co-founder of the Cookeville, TN Jazz Festival
1970
2004
Long time WMOT Development Coordinator Laura Dunn passes away
unexpectedly.
2007 WMOT Station Manager and Director of Broadcasting John High retires after
nearly 30 years in the position
2008
WMOT Operations Director John Egly becomes Station Manager
2009
WMOT Chief Engineer Gary Brown is appointed interim Station Manager
MTSU president includes WMOT in a list of university departments in jeopardy
of being eliminated due to severe state of Tennessee budget cuts.
2010
Randy O’Brien WMOT Director of News and Public Affairs for 30 years retires.
Longtime station manager of WUFT-FM at University of Florida Henri Pensis is
named WMOT Station Manager
2011
WMOT adds classical music to the program lineup for the first time since the
1970’s.
WMOT has been serving the university and the region for 40 of the 100 years of
MTSU. The station is now positioned to play an even greater role in fulfilling the
university’s mission as the hub of the new media convergence center in the
college of Mass Comm.
WMOT has received more than 70 awards from (TAPBA) Tennessee Associated
Press Broadcaster’s Association since 1984 with over half of them being 1st Place
in several categories.